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The Pyrenean Traverse (Raid Pyrénéen 2008)
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Itinerary Profile (Click here) |
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Day 2 Sunday - Hendaye - Arette (143km) |
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The first day takes you from the Atlantic Ocean into the low Pyrenees taking in the Col de St-Ignace (169m), Col de Pinodieta (176m), Col d'Ipharlatze (328m) and the Col d' Osquich (392m). These are all small climbs that should allow you to get a taste of what is to come. We stay in the pretty village of Arette and have a welcome evening meal in a great little hotel. The summit of the Col dIphartlatze |
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Day 3 Monday - Arette - Argelès Gazost (100km) |
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Very large bikes on the summit of the Aubisque |
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Day 4 Tuesday - Argelès Gazost - Luscan (141km) |
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Today is the big one. The Col Du Tourmalet (2115m) is first on the list and we will take our time climbing before hitting the summit and the famous café & shop where you can buy all the Tourmalet memorabilia before descending. We will have lunch at base of the Col d'Aspin (1489m) before climbing this beautiful climb where you might even be face to face with a cow or a range of other animals at the summit We then ride the final stretch over the Col de Peyresourde (1569m) and back to our centre in Luscan for a slap up meal and a relax next to the pool.
The most famous climb in the Pyrenees - the Giant of the Tourmalet |
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Day 5 Wednesday - Luscan - Tarascon (126km) |
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The memorial to Fabio Casatelli |
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Day 6 Thursday - Tarascon - Prades (128km) |
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Day 7 Friday - Prades - Cerbére (85km) |
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Jumping into the Med is not obligatory but always encouraged |
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| Day 8 Saturday - The hotel is very close to the airport so a quick transfer after breakfast or if your flight is a little later then leave your luggage at the hotel and take the shuttle bus into Toulouse for a day out. | |
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We provide you with our very own Carnet de Route which follows closely the official Raid Route but keeps away from the busy roads and sticks to country lanes We also give you a fantastic cycle jersey so you can ride the tour in style. The itinerary may change from time to time but is basically the set route for our version of the Raid Pyrénées. If you are reasonably fit you will be able to complete this course but will need to train for it. There is always vehicle support in case you get into difficulties. All your luggage and bike containers are transported between stages. There is also mechanical support available so you do not have to worry about anything other than enjoying the ride "Just a note to thank you once again for a terrific trip in the Pyrenees. I am still on cloud 9 and still catch myself looking through the many photos that (as you well know) I took during the scenic rides in the mountains.
I appreciate the personalized service that you provided, with Ian riding with the group and Julie present to cater to our every need (I still remember the hot cup of tea I had in the van at the top of the col de Marmare when the weather turned cool)." - Ken Bunker - Sept '06 |
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After a short warm up on
the relatively flat roads
from Arette, the first climb of the day is the Col de Marie-Blanque (1035m) a
beautiful but very steep climb. The descent is well worth the effort
though and we swing down to a beautiful ride into Laruns before
starting the ascent to the Col D' Aubisque (1709m) and a welcoming lunch at the
top with stunning views. The descent from the
Aubisque is spectacular riding through mountainside tunnels and very narrow
roads perched on the side of the cliff. The Col de Soulor (1466m) is next
but most of it has already been climbed so it passes without a hitch with the
final descent into Argelès Gazost
where we spend the night and have our well earned evening meal which is
fantastic.
After leaving Luscan we head over the
Col des Ares (797m) and the Col De Buret (599m) which warms the legs up before
the start of the Col De Portet d' Aspet (1069m)
where you can see the monument of Fabio Casatelli. We head down into the
valley towards St Girons before heading down into the Gorge de Ribaouto and the
Col de Port (1249m). The hotel is all the way down hill into Tarascon
where the owners are always waiting for us with a beer or two.
The penultimate stage and it is a long
one, with the the first of three major climbs coming up after around 30km.
The Col de Marmare (1367m), a long but gentle climb through the trees followed by the Col des Sept Frères (1253m) soon
after but a mere mole hill in comparison. Then a long down hill ride
through tunnels and overhanging cliffs to Axat for lunch. After refueling it is a hard slog up the Col de Jau (1513m) but with a
fantastic descent directly to the hotel. Here you can relax by the pool before a
great dinner in the beautiful square of Prades.
The last stage in this epic personal
achievement. 85km downhill to the Mediterranean and hopefully with a
tailwind. A gentle ride in
and then relax in the seaside restaurant where we can have a well earned lunch after dipping your toe into the water to seal the
challenge. We will then load the bikes and head back to Toulouse for the
evening where we will go out to a restaurant for the celebratory meal where we
can chat about the week and receive your certificates.